RENOVATION UPDATE: You know, that building where Abe's Rental used to be (140 E Main St).

August 12.

May 25.

It's the Central Station development, which many New Albanians remember as Abe's Rental. Not much has happened on the Main Street side, but in back, the dilapidated metal building has been razed and the covered pavilion, courtyard and raised patio are taking shape.

May 25: More about the renovation of that building where Abe's Rental used to be.

May 24: You know, that building where Abe's Rental used to be (140 E Main St).

More about the renovation of that building where Abe's Rental used to be.

As noted yesterday, the art deco building at 140 E. Main Street finally has been sold after years of vacancy, and is being renovated.

You know, that building where Abe's Rental used to be (140 E Main St).

Many of us know it as the place where Abe's Rental used to be, but it originally was a service station (above) and a Sears auto center. Yesterday the roof was swarming with workers.

Here is an aerial view, and the plan for overhaul, for which the developer will be spending around $120,000. Potential uses are commercial, as offices, restaurant or cafe. Not much is clear beyond the renovation itself, which will bring a genuinely unique property back into play.

Now, about those streets ...

Why we fight: In 2014, Jeff Speck told us how street design impacts our city.

You know, that building where Abe's Rental used to be (140 E Main St).

"Downtown New Albany- SOLD!! 140 E Main St gets a new owner and soon will have a tenant. Watch here for more." -- Mike Kopp on Twitter

It's been vacant at least 13 years. According to the historic building folks ...

Direct Oil Service Station
140 East Main Street
New Albany, IN 47150

Designed by Louisville firm Sullivan and Cozart, this Art Deco gem was built in 1929 for Harry Goulding, for use as a service station. It remained in the Goulding family until 2003.

Later it was a Sears auto service center, then Abe's Rental.

The building appeared recently in an on-line real estate listing at $385,000 (cached). This is less than what I'd heard was being asked. The Green Mouse is told that the buyer also owns the Elias Ayres Building, next door at 134 E. Main.